The appointment is especially unusual because the man who gives her the plum job is her formal rival during the Democratic presidential nomination — the longest and arguably the most divisive contest in history. Few would have ever imagined in June when Obama clinched the nomination that the divided Democratic Party could have come together again to win the November presidential election against John McCain of the Republican Party.

Back then, Hillary had reason to feel angry and upset. She won more popular votes than Obama during the primaries — 18 million or 55 percent to be exact. She had a feeling of entitlement, and rightly so, because she looked like the unbeatable candidate before the first primary took place in Iowa on Jan. 3. Her campaign was better financed and organized than John Edwards’ and Obama’s, her two rivals. Edwards dropped out in late January.

After the Iowa race, in which she finished an embarrassing third among the trio, the contest turned increasingly negative and ugly due to Obama’s strong showing and Hillary’s win-at-any-cost strategy. Her husband Bill campaigned in full force for his wife, often using controversial language that had racial overtones.

As far as primaries are concerned, the contest between Obama and Mrs. Clinton were both dramatic and historic. This was because Obama is the first credible African-American candidate of a major party, and Hillary is the first female presidential candidate that could shatter the glass ceiling. Either would make history if any of them wins.

I have been following America’s 2008 elections closely, not just on TV, the Internet, or in the print media. I took part in Hillary’s campaign rally in Los Angeles early this year, two days before the crucial “Super Tuesday” on Feb. 5, when 21 states including such super states like California and New York held primaries. California’s 370 delegate votes were up for grabs, while the magic number to clinch the Democratic presidential nomination was 2025.

Hillary won the big event in California, but it was not winner-take-all as was the case for the Republicans. She had a large following in L.A.’s multiracial population, especially among the working poor, Latinos and Orientals. The campaign rally, held in the gym of California State University in east L.A., was enlivened by a Lion dance, a testiment to her popularity among Chinese immigrants.

Her scheduled appearance was at 11 a.m., but supporters began lining up around the gym at 6 a.m. in the chilly, wintry morning to wait for the gates to open at 9. The turnout was estimated at 7,000, filling the gym to full capacity. The rally was an unannounced event; fans and supporters got wind from Hillary’s Web site. The spontaneity and enthusiasm was impressive, glaringly different from Taiwan’s rambunctious campaign rallies with flags, banners, sound trucks and chartered buses.

The gym was virtually a sea of blue-colored placards and slogans, “Solutions,” “Hillary for President” waved by supporters. I could still remember that she addressed the cheering crowd with promises such as “I’ll bring back our troops from Iraq in 60 days,” “health care for everybody.”

There is no doubt that Hillary is a gifted speaker, a great orator and consummate communicator. Watching her speak makes you fascinated by her broad knowledge, graceful poise, and irresistible charm. You feel her warmth and her care about the ordinary people.

Above all, she is tough. If Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin is a “pitbull with lipstick,” then Hillary Clinton is “Rocky in a skirt.” Hillary never gave up, as she showed throughout the campaign. “I know how tough she was,” Obama would often describe her in awe. Even on Monday at his official announcement in Chicago of his national security team, Obama praised his formal rival as “tough, smart and disciplined.”

Her traits, to be sure, are more than that; good and otherwise. Her experience seems unparalleled, especially compared with Obama’s. Remember her infamous campaign ad about a 3 a.m. call to the White House?” And Obama was not qualified to be commander-in-chief? That’s probably true, at least when compared with her experience as co-president with Bill Clinton for eight years and her extensive foreign travel to 82 countries. Who else could be more qualified to be America’s top diplomat?

The 47-year-old president-elect deserves kudos for his courage, wisdom, and magnanimity to invite such a strong personality to take part in his administration. You are always taking chances when you allow a bear into your tent. In making the appointment, Obama is showing confidence in his leadership. He is showing that he places the national interest above everything else, and is eager to put the right people on the right job. He is showing he is not afraid of tough and smart people, but instead welcomes them to work with him at a critical time.

While It’s too early to say what will be in store after Jan. 20 — with Hillary at the State Department, Robert Gates in Pentagon, Tim Geithner at Treasury, James Jones as national security adviser — the new president will still be surrounded by competent people transcending party and ideological lines. Well begun is half done, as the saying goes. As for Obama and Hillary, their bitter rivalry is now history. They are now united by a common and single purpose — saving their country from financial crisis at home and two costly wars abroad.